OH MY SKIN

The itch is consuming

It takes over my brain
My skin I am tearing
The relief is the pain
Thickened and swollen
Red and sore
Constant skin crawling
I cant take any more
My eyes are all puffy
My skin is inflamed
All red and angry
I feel so ashamed
I scratch and I scratch
I scratch all day long
The irritation is relentless
And I know that its wrong
My nails I cut short
So I use other things
Tweezers, combs, my brush
Clothing and rings
Stop scratching they say
If only you would try
Oh thank you so much
I feel like I could cry
I dream of soft skin
Velvet smooth and silky
Of waking in comfort
A shiny new perfect me

Eczema.... have all of you heard about this?? Eczema is an inflammation of the skin, usually
causing itching and sometimes accompanied by crusting, scaling or blisters.

Eczema is a general term for any type of dermatitis or itchy rash. There are
several skin diseases that are eczemas. All types of eczema cause itching and
redness and some will blister, weep or peel. It typically affects the insides of the
elbows, backs of the knees, and the face, but some eczema types can cover
most of the body.
1. Atopic Dermatitis - typically involves the folds of the elbows and knees.

When longstanding, the skin can be very thickened (lichenified) from

chronic scratching
2. Hand eczema (also known as hand dermatitis. The irritant nature of some

chemicals means that hand eczema is particularly common in people with

jobs involving cleaning, catering, hairdressing, healthcare and mechanical
work.
3. Contact dermatitis is a reaction that can occur when the skin comes in

contact with certain substances, which can cause skin inflammation.

Irritants are substances that cause burning, itching or redness.
4. Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that is similar to eczema

and sometimes occurs in patients with eczema. In babies, it tends to

mostly affect the scalp and is known as cradle cap. Older children and
adults can develop it on the scalp as well, which is similar to dandruff but
tends to be more itchy and inflamed. It can also affect the face and upper
chest in some cases, and can overlap with psoriasis.
5. Dyshidrotic eczema is a condition in which small blisters develop on the
hands and feet. Blisters are often itchy.
6. Nummular eczema (also known as discoid eczema and nummular
dermatitis) is a common type of eczema that can occur at any age
7. Neurodermatitis, also known as lichen simplex chronicus, is an itchy skin
disease similar to atopic dermatitis.
8. Stasis dermatitis is sometimes called venous stasis dermatitis because it
arises when there is a problem with the veins, generally in the lower legs.
The symptoms of eczema are different for each person. The rash may even look
different or affect different parts of your body from time to time. It can be mild,
moderate, or severe. Generally, people with eczema symptoms suffer from dry,
sensitive skin. Eczema is also known for its intense itch. The itch may be so bad
that you scratch your skin until it bleeds, which can make your rash even worse,
leading to even more inflammation and itching. This is called the itch-scratch

cycle. You may have times when your eczema flares and times when your skin is
clear. Although you may be experiencing some or all of these eczema symptoms,
a diagnosis of eczema can be made only by your doctor.
What causes eczema????
The exact causes of eczema are unknown. You might have inherited a tendency
for eczema. You may have a family member who has eczema or who has hay
fever (allergic rhinitis) or asthma. Many doctors think eczema causes are linked
to allergic disease, such as hay fever or asthma. Doctors call this the atopic triad.
Many children with eczema (up to 80%) will develop hay fever and/or asthma.
There are many triggers of eczema that can make it flare or get worse. Below are
some of the common triggers. You should learn what triggers your eczema to
flare, and then try to avoid it.
a. Irritants can make your symptoms worse. What irritates you may be
different from what irritates someone else with the condition, but could
include:
1. Soaps and detergents,
2. Shampoos, dish-washing liquids
3. Bubble Bath
4. Disinfectants like chlorine
5. Contact with juices from fresh fruits, meats, vegetables
b. Allergens are substances that can cause the body to react abnormally. This
is known as an allergic reaction. Some of the most common allergens that
can be causes of eczema include:

House dust mites

Pets (cats > dogs)

Pollens (seasonal)

Molds

Dandruff

c. hot or cold temperatures:

Hot weather

High and low humidity

Perspiration from exercise

d. Foods
Atopic eczema can sometimes be caused by food allergens, especially
before the age of one. Some studies of children and young people with
atopic eczema found that one-third to nearly two-thirds also had a food
allergy.
E. stress:
Stress is known to be associated with eczema but it is not fully understood
how it affects the condition. Some people with eczema have worse
symptoms when they are stressed. For others their eczema symptoms
cause them to feel stressed.
ECZEMA PREVENTION CHECK LIST:
Moisturize every day.
Wear cotton or soft fabrics. Avoid rough, scratchy fibers and tight clothing.
Take lukewarm baths and showers, using mild soap or non-soap cleanser
Gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel do not rub.
Apply a moisturizer within 3 minutes after bathing to lock in moisture.
When possible, avoid rapid changes of temperature and activities that make you
sweat.
Learn your eczema triggers and avoid them.
Use a humidifier in dry or cold weather.
Keep your fingernails short to help keep scratching from breaking the skin.
Some people with allergies find it helps to remove carpets from their house, and
give pets dander treatments.
ECZEMA CANT BE CURED. BUT IT CAN BE CONTROLLED WITH THE RIGHT
TREATMENTS.